Critics Criticize Hakeem Jeffries for Commending Trump's Latest Pardon

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) expressed support on Wednesday for President Donald Trumps preemptive pardon of Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a conservative Democrat who faced charges of bribery and acting as a foreign agent last year. Speaking on CNN, Jeffries stated, I dont know why the president decided to do this. I think the outcome was exactly the right outcome.

Cuellar and his wife were indicted last May for allegedly accepting $600,000 to influence U.S. foreign policy on behalf of an Azerbaijani state-controlled oil company and to advocate for legislation benefiting a Mexican bank. In a statement on his Truth Social account, Trump argued that the indictment was politically motivated, claiming the Biden administration had weaponized the Justice System against their Political Opponents and highlighted Cuellars stance against Open Borders.

Cuellar, from a family described as a political machine in Webb County, Texasa region that shifted toward Trump in 2024 despite a long Democratic historythanked Trump for his tremendous leadership. He reaffirmed his Democratic affiliation and announced plans to seek reelection next year.

Jeffries endorsement of the pardon contrasts with his prior criticism of Trumps use of pardoning power, which he called toxic. Last month, he criticized the president as being completely and totally out of control, pointing to pardons for January 6 rioters, former Representative George Santos (R-N.Y.), and ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

During his CNN appearance, Jeffries described Cuellar as a beloved colleague and suggested that the indictment was very thin to begin with, predicting that the charges would eventually be dropped. Social media users responded sharply to Jeffries remarks, expressing disapproval of his support for the pardon.

Author: Riley Thompson